BACA plans to open heritage properties in Muharraq to private investment

TDT | Manama

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The Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA) is weighing new incentives to turn listed sites into working businesses, after success turning part of the Pearling Path into a festival-friendly destination.

Its response came in a written reply to a parliamentary question from MP Ali Saqer.

The Authority said it had begun drafting a plan to encourage private investment in buildings under heritage protection, with early talks already taking place with other government bodies.

Proposals

Several heritage properties in Muharraq were reopened in 2024 following an open call for proposals.

The invitation went out to small businesses, designers, food vendors and craftspeople, asking them to submit ideas for using buildings along the Pearling Path.

Some of these were later opened to the public during the Muharraq Nights event. The Authority stressed that protections set by law remain in place.

Restrictions

Decree-Law No. 11 of 1995 lays out clear restrictions on what can and cannot be done with registered buildings, including a ban on demolitions or changes without written consent from the relevant department.

Ownership transfers involving non-Bahrainis require sign-off from the Ministry of Information.

Any building work nearby must also be reviewed in advance to make sure it fits the look and feel of the surrounding site.

Religious buildings, including mosques, fall under additional review by the Ministry of Justice and Islamic Affairs.

BACA explained that before a site is listed as heritage, its teams of museum, archaeological and heritage staff conduct a detailed review.

These teams decide if the site has enough cultural or historic value to warrant protection.

If so, a technical report is drawn up and the property is added to the National Heritage List.

Its status is then published in the Official Gazette.

The law defines an antiquity as anything, building or object, at least 50 years old, provided it carries value tied to the arts, sciences, daily life, customs or events.

Exceptions

It allows exceptions for newer items or places if the Prime Minister sees fit.

Structures covered by the law include ruins, forts, temples, mosques, homes, wells, canals and underground or underwater finds.

The Authority said its aim is to bring protected properties into active use while keeping their character intact.

It views private investment in some of these buildings as one way of doing that, provided the right checks are in place.